Forward-Backward Exponential Oscillator

The Forward-Backward Exponential Oscillator measures momentum by running an EMA through price twice (once forward, once backward) and normalizing the summed changes into an oscillator. The result is two lines: a steadier forward value (grey) computed the conventional way, and a more reactive backward value (blue) recalculated on every bar, with a histogram of their difference centered at 50.

How to Trade the Forward-Backward Exponential Oscillator?

• Forward value above the backward value: momentum is tilting upward.
• Forward value below the backward value: momentum is tilting downward.
• Histogram around the 50 centerline: tracks the spread between the two values, sizing the strength of the current shift.
• Projection ahead of the last bar: the indicator extends estimated future readings of the forward line, a compact exponential smoothing forecast, so you can see where the calculation is heading before price confirms it.

Forward-backward filtering yields a zero-phase response: the second, backward pass cancels the lag the first pass introduces. Applied naively this approach repaints, which is why the oscillator plots only the normalized sum of changes from the filtered EMA. The printed values are final.

Forward-Backward Exponential Oscillator Settings

• Length: the lookback used to sum EMA changes. Larger values produce slower, more gradual swings and stretch the projection further ahead.
• Smoothing: the length of the underlying EMAs. Higher settings return a smoother, less noisy oscillator.
• Source: the price series fed into the calculation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Forward-Backward Exponential Oscillator repaint?

How does it differ from a zero-lag moving average?

How do I access the Forward-Backward Exponential Oscillator?